Gout is a rheumatic disease, a form of arthritis that results in often intense pain and inflammation of the joint, that results from monosodium urate crystal deposition in joints.
In this study, an active component of ginger (6-shogaol) was tested in mice to determine its anti-inflammatory activity in gout. Specifically, the researchers looked at monosodium urate crystal-induced inflammation in mice; an experimental model for gouty arthritis.
Results were compared with those obtained with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, indomethacin. The results clearly indicated that ginger (6-shogaol) exerted a strong anti-inflammatory effect and can be regarded as useful tool for the treatment of acute gouty arthritis.
